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“That’s right.”
“This place is amazing. I can’t explain the feeling that washed over me when I exited the plane. It was as though, deep inside, I knew we’d find Luisa.”
“I’ve come here many times when I needed clarity in my life, sometimes not realizing I did until I stepped off the plane.”
“My mom seems affected too.”
I followed Sera’s line of sight and saw her mother standing, eyes closed, facing the sun.
“Are you familiar with the traditional Indian architectural system known as Vastu shastra?” I asked.
“I’m not.”
“All the buildings on the property were constructed using Vastu principles.” I explained it the same way Tryst had to me. Vastu was the science of keeping the five elements of nature—earth, water, fire, air, and space—in balance. When it was applied to building design, the idea was to maximize “positive vibrational energy” in order to create a space that was a spiritual and healing sanctuary.
Sera appeared as skeptical as I had been the first time I visited.
“Later, I’ll take you to the temple. It’s the most beautiful, magical place here.”
“I’d like to see it.”
“It looks like your driver is ready.” I motioned to the golf cart, where Tryst had led Leah. I walked Sera over to it, and she sat beside her mother. I stood back and waited with Tryst while the others took their seats and the man drove off.
“I don’t know how you ever leave this place, Tryst.”
“I cannot stay away long.”
“I understand why not. I hope I have a similar feeling when my house in See Canyon is finished.”
“You can take steps to ensure it.”
“Enlighten me.”
He chuckled at my pun. “Let’s walk and I’ll tell you.”
Tryst explained it wasn’t difficult to apply Vastu ideals to any structure. Given my house was a blank slate other than being built with two stories, it would be easy to make changes to where I intended certain rooms to be.
“Your bedroom should be in the southwest part of the house and on the second story,” he said. “Other bedrooms, it is not quite so important.”
The rest of what he explained, I’d heard before. For example, the centermost space on the main floor should be empty and, if possible, open through to the second-story ceiling. Certain other things he’d said made sense, such as not putting sleeping quarters or eating areas over a garage or carport.
The only part of the house not complying with Vastu principles were the two west-facing decks. There was a glint in Tryst’s eyes when he said he understood why I would be intransigent about eliminating those.
“You could add east-facing outdoor spaces too,” he suggested, winking when he said it.
When we crested a small hill, I shielded my eyes from the sun and looked out at the main house. It was as though the sun’s rays sought it out like a spotlight.
“When will Brix break ground on their place?” I asked, envying the five-thousand-acre wedding gift Tryst had given Addy and him. “Has he said?”
“Work has already begun on the water house and the plans for the main residence.”
“He and Addy are going to live here full-time, aren’t they?”
Tryst raised a brow. “I cannot imagine Brix giving up the winery entirely. There is also the diner they intend to rebuild.”
The Olallieberry Diner had been part of the coastal community of Cambria for many years. When it burned to the ground a few weeks ago, it felt like the heart of the town was missing. I’d been overjoyed to hear Brix and Addy intended to rebuild it and have Addy’s mother, who’d owned it when the fire occurred, and Brix’s mother, who had worked there in the past, run it. I didn’t doubt once it was profitable, Brix and his wife would deed the ownership to the two women.
As far as the winery was concerned, Brix had five younger brothers and one sister, four of whom could take on more responsibility for the family-run operation. Cristobal, the next oldest in the Avila family, was a geneticist whose primary research was conducted at Stanford University.
